Project 9: Design a Communications Network
Objective:
The Newfoundland Provincial Government recently stopped posting government tenders in the local newspaper. Instead, the government is posting all tenders on their web site. Interested bidders have to log on to the government web site to learn about the latest tenders. Fearing his company will be left out of many lucrative government contracts, Mr. John H. Martin, CEO of Island Construction Inc. has decided to network his companies small office. Mr. Martin believes networking the office will allow his employees to connect to the Internet as well as share files and resources such as printers, scanners and plotters. Island Construction Inc. is a very small company, and it can't afford to hire expensive computer consultants to design a network for the companies office. Island Construction has some techno-savvy people on staff, but the thought of creating a network for computers in a small office can make even those techno-savvy PC users turn an interesting shade of green. You are particularly interested in Mr. Martin's dilemma because you have been studying about computer networks, have examined examples of computer network, but never had the opportunity to design a network before. Mr. Martin jumps at your offer to design Island Construction's network. Finally, you have a chance to create a small network. Before you begin, Mr. Martin would like a detailed list of what hardware and software you will need, and what each item will cost. Before you give Mr. Martin a list of what you need, you will have a make a very important decision - what type of network will you use? There are three basic questions you will have to answer when putting together your network. The first is which network operating system are you going to use? Second, you must decide which type of cable to use to connect the computers. The third question is based upon how you answer the second one. The type of cable you select will determine for the most part which network adapters you will want to use and if you need any additional network components such as network hubs.
Mr. Martin provides you with a copy of the office floor plan, and a list of specifications. The design should be annotated, and rationales developed for each choice. Information on pricing as well as technical specifications should be provided on a separate page. You may also wish to discuss issues not presented in this activity that may affect the proposed office network.
Island Construction Inc. Office Network Specifications:
- each workstation has a computer that must be networked
- Ethernet cards are preferred
- a multi-function laser printer (scanner, copier, fax machine, printer), a color laserjet printer, and plotter will have to be connected to the
network
- users will need to share all peripherals, and files
- users will need access to the Internet
- the office will also need access to LAN based e-mail
- Students will design a communications network to resolve a given problem.
The Newfoundland Provincial Government recently stopped posting government tenders in the local newspaper. Instead, the government is posting all tenders on their web site. Interested bidders have to log on to the government web site to learn about the latest tenders. Fearing his company will be left out of many lucrative government contracts, Mr. John H. Martin, CEO of Island Construction Inc. has decided to network his companies small office. Mr. Martin believes networking the office will allow his employees to connect to the Internet as well as share files and resources such as printers, scanners and plotters. Island Construction Inc. is a very small company, and it can't afford to hire expensive computer consultants to design a network for the companies office. Island Construction has some techno-savvy people on staff, but the thought of creating a network for computers in a small office can make even those techno-savvy PC users turn an interesting shade of green. You are particularly interested in Mr. Martin's dilemma because you have been studying about computer networks, have examined examples of computer network, but never had the opportunity to design a network before. Mr. Martin jumps at your offer to design Island Construction's network. Finally, you have a chance to create a small network. Before you begin, Mr. Martin would like a detailed list of what hardware and software you will need, and what each item will cost. Before you give Mr. Martin a list of what you need, you will have a make a very important decision - what type of network will you use? There are three basic questions you will have to answer when putting together your network. The first is which network operating system are you going to use? Second, you must decide which type of cable to use to connect the computers. The third question is based upon how you answer the second one. The type of cable you select will determine for the most part which network adapters you will want to use and if you need any additional network components such as network hubs.
Mr. Martin provides you with a copy of the office floor plan, and a list of specifications. The design should be annotated, and rationales developed for each choice. Information on pricing as well as technical specifications should be provided on a separate page. You may also wish to discuss issues not presented in this activity that may affect the proposed office network.
Island Construction Inc. Office Network Specifications:
- each workstation has a computer that must be networked
- Ethernet cards are preferred
- a multi-function laser printer (scanner, copier, fax machine, printer), a color laserjet printer, and plotter will have to be connected to the
network
- users will need to share all peripherals, and files
- users will need access to the Internet
- the office will also need access to LAN based e-mail